Dusty Springfield

For those who want a two-CD Dusty Springfield best-of rather than a more condensed (if more consistent) single-disc anthology, Gold is an excellent overview of her career highlights. Concentrating on her 1963-1971 prime, all of the major hit singles are here, as well as numerous quality singles that didn't chart highly, and some noteworthy album tracks. It's true the last third of disc two is relatively inessential compared to what's come before it, but it does bridge her peak with some post-1980 recordings from her latter career, including her biggest success from that era, "What Have I Done to Deserve This." Though it might be a little more singles-driven than some Dusty Springfield specialists would like, it would be hard to argue that it doesn't contain most of her very best work. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide